Title Description Grade Level Lesson Type Core Idea
Predicting the Effects of Climate Change on Soil Loss

Students analyze changes in precipitation as predicted by climate change models to consider how a changing climate could influence erosion rates in agricultural areas
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Protecting Our City with Levees

Students design and build their own model levees.
  • 6-8
 Lab Experiment ESS3.B: Natural hazards
Quicksand: A Case of Liquefaction

This activity demonstrates the principles of liquefaction and what happens when soil begins to act more like a liquid than a solid.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity, Lab Experiment ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Rain and Soil

When it rains, much of the water drains directly in the ground. But why? Try this experiment and draw your own conclusions.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Rain Barrels: Small Investment, Big Benefits

A YouTube video outlining the financial and environmental benefits of rain barrels.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Video ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Rain or Shine: An Introduction to Soil Physical Properties and Processes

Online textbook suitable for teacher background information or for high school students
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Rainforest Information for Kids

although there is not a lot of information on soils, there is basic to advanced information on rainforests on this website
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • PreK-2
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Reading the Layers: Soil Horizon Mapping

Students will learn to identify and draw the major soil horizons as present in real horizons, describe observable differences among horizons, and explain in general terms how soil forming factors and processes lead to horizon formation and how different horizons form in various soil types.
  • 9-12
 Activity, Slides/Photos/Figures ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Relax with a Mud Mask

A simple recipe for homemade facial masks from clay.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Revolt of the Fungus People: Mycorrhizae in the Ecosystem

This interrupted case study for the flipped classroom examines the interaction of plants and their mycorrhizal partners. Subscription needed for answer key
  • 9-12
 Activity LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics
Rock Flip

Exercise to look at and catalogue the diversity of soil organisms that can be found under rocks.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Root-Nematode-Weevil Game

A fun activity to understand how soil organisms communicate with each other and to know at least some reasons why they would want/need to communicate
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics
Runoff Simulation

An interactive simulation exploring the type of surface and soil type are related to runoff.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Interactive Website ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
School Garden Lesson Plans

This guide contains 35 lesson plans with activities to engage your students in a fun and educational exploration of fruits, vegetables and healthy eating.
  • 3-5
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Science Fair Projects & Experiments

Collection of soil related projects and experiments for all grades.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Lab Experiment ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

 

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